March 16th. 1904.

T.E. Donne Esqr.,
Government Tourist Department,
Wellington.

Dear Sir,

Replying to your telegrams of the 10th. and the 15th. inst. I would say that I have consulted with your Auckland Manager, Mr. Montgomery, and he with myself considers the three large pictures would create the greater interest outside of New Zealand, being as they are, not only life types of the old, mature and young people of both sexes, but that they faithfully represent past and present customs of the Maori people. Overall, each of the pictures measures (roughly) 9 ft. x 11 ft., therefore they would require about three hundred feet of wall space for hanging. Two of these pictures are already Copyrighted in Wellington and my application for the copyright of the other one is now in the hands of Mr. Leslie, Registrar of Copyrights, Wellington. I have lodged photos. of these with my applications, these you could see no doubt by applying to Mr. Leslie.

The Titles under which the pictures are copyrighted are as follows :-
"The Tohunga under Tapu", Copyright No.1175.
"Maori Women & Girls, Kit Making", Copyright No.1202.
"The Tohunga Moko at Work" (not yet granted)

Your telegram of the 10th. inst. states that the Government are willing to insure any pictures I may lend them against fire and marine risks, but says nothing re my consideration of insuring or guaranteeing them against damage of any kind. I feel compelled to ask this latter guarantee on account of the way that the pictures that I loaned to the Christchurch Exhibition Authorities were returned : I should therefore like to have your decision on this point.

I believe your Mr. Montgomery is writing you today on this and other matters and therefore now await your further wishes and instructions.

And remain,
Yours faithfully,
H.E. Partridge